There is empirical evidence about the A51 or Hans, and not so much with the TopLEd, the 1st one and the Vipar. Diodes with bins are represented with A51/Hans, what more do you need to know?Just out of curiosity, how come there aren't any Youtube vids on the RW-75? There's no company channel, no user uploads, just...nothing. Seems kinda weird.
I'm narrowing my search down on purchasing an LED panel and I'm see-sawing between the pricier models and something like:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reflector-300w-Led-Grow-Light-Growth-Flower-Switches-Full-Spectrum-IR-Lamp-Panel-/151186702706?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item23336e0172
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIPAR-400W-LED-Grow-Light-Full-Spectrum-Indoor-Grow-Greenhouse-Hydroponic-Plant-/111391939675?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item19ef7a1c5b
I'm somewhat of a moderately skilled grower, but this will be my first time using LEDs. I know there's emphatic testimony that it's worth it to spend the extra $100-150 on an RW-75 or a Hans 65w but I just wish there were more empirical evidence. You know, like concrete proof so I wouldn't have to second-guess myself after a purchase. I've been researching LEDs for about 10 hours to even be able to ask these questions, lol.
I'm thinking of getting one of the cheaper LEDs now to hold me over until I can get one of the more expensive models and compare them myself but does anyone know of any really convincing threads that does make the comparison that would help sway my decision now?
Here are some of the things I would do:I just subscribed to Icemuds channel and watched some of those umol tests, actually. I only wish there were more videos just like that, or threads maybe if anyone knows of them.
The one LED outperforming the others was the Intelligent Gro II 270w, but that's a $560 unit. How do I know the $250 Hans 65w (which 2 of would probably be the most ideal for my 2' x 4' grow space) or RW-75 has that much of a respectively high umol reading compared to the cheaper models?
and as far as Diodes with bins goes, isn't that what this model uses? http://www.ebay.com/itm/VIPAR-300W-LED-Grow-Light-5W-Diodes-Series-Full-Spectrum-for-Indoor-Greenhouse-/111380672188?pt=US_Hydroponics&hash=item19eece2ebc
I might have to go with something second-rate out of monetary concerns at first, because my grow is already started and I need to make a decision in a few days. The rw-75 is just like barely out of my price range unless I scrimp for it and I just haven't been convinced to do that because, like I said, seeing is believing and it's like a Youtube blackout which is strange. My grandma's croquet club has a Youtube channel, you know?
The Diamond Series XML 350 is the only one of those I'd touch, the rest are bunch of stinkers, stay far away from them. As for a suggestion, grab two Area 51 RW-150's, you'll be pulling around the same wattage as the XML, but get better coverage.I'm very particular and have narrowed down my purchase to these four lights. I'd like to stick to these four unless you have a suggestion that is very similar in terms of price, wattage, coverage area, price, etc.
Pro Grow X5-300
189X-PRO - 290w
Diamond Series XML 350
Magnum Plus
Cost is not really a concern, but it still is a lot of money so I'd like to make the best choice possible. Thanks tons for any advice
Thanks a lot for the advice. Writing my posts out made me realize the comparison between LEDs was probably like the difference between American and foreign-made guitars. I go with the American every time because the difference really is tangible to the experienced.Here are some of the things I would do:
Ask every single person who has a A51/Hans thread, form an opinion on the info that will undoubtedly be provided.
IM Eraserhead
Ask Greengenes [he may have done a umol reading
Find diodes being used and consult datasheets [if you don't know how to read the datasheet, theres a thread for that]
Basically, the two you are hedging on, are known quantity. There is actually 3rd party data on the power of the lights, ask Mr Flux or SupraSL about converting datasheet numbers into Par/Umols
The two you do want, are Not a known quantity in most cases. They do NOT supply what bins they use or most times even Manufacturer. They are rarely a known quantity, so there is very little empirical evidence in support of these lights.
Fyi, I am still debating about which to build first, but I am also considering a 2.x4 with 48" height. Eventually I am thinking of running 8 Cree CXA 3070 Cob Led's in a DIY Fixture.
You buy drivers, COB diodes and heatsinks. Wire together for a very simple build. If you can't solder [which takes 5 minutes to learn] there are even options for solderless assembly.
They will push 1.4A's at 37V or so, giving about 50w's. So nearly 400w's for about $500 or so, depending on what you order for your build.
You would be pushing something like 60K+ lumens. Par wattage can be inferred from datasheets as well...
If low price-to-value were my priority, I would go with TopLED's reflector series. It's LG's facory outlet (not a reseller) with a public support forum, decent warranty. (I would choose reflector because the Mars, without a reflector, seems to just throw more electricity into diffusion rather than focus it efficiently.).I might have to go with something second-rate out of monetary concerns at first,
I have those LG reflector panels, they've been reliable and no quality issues to speak of, but after giving them 2 rounds at flowering, they will be used only for vegging, clones, seedlings. They are great at those things, but imo and direct experience, they CAN flower, but both runs produced fluffy buds and no weight. While that may be acceptable for a small personal grow, it seems like a waste of time and money to me and I'm moving my flower room to other technologies, LEDs will be in there but not the LG's. Definitely would not recommend using them for flowering.If low price-to-value were my priority, I would go with TopLED's reflector series. It's LG's facory outlet (not a reseller) with a public support forum, decent warranty. (I would choose reflector because the Mars, without a reflector, seems to just throw more electricity into diffusion rather than focus it efficiently.).
If you want to do something with more white light, you can get a Cidly Apollo with custom spectrum for $150 (free shipping). I can recommend an Alibaba reseller ("Thunder Lighting") and 2-3 custom spectrums that have worked well. I'm running one which is a copy of Grow Northern's "Rebel" spectrum and it's working well.
I'd recommend Area51. But, if budget is most important, I'd do the above (maybe 1 of each for a 2x4 space). When you eventually buy better lights you'd have backups for when (not if) those better lights fail.
What were those spectrums?If low price-to-value were my priority, I would go with TopLED's reflector series. It's LG's facory outlet (not a reseller) with a public support forum, decent warranty. (I would choose reflector because the Mars, without a reflector, seems to just throw more electricity into diffusion rather than focus it efficiently.).
If you want to do something with more white light, you can get a Cidly Apollo with custom spectrum for $150 (free shipping). I can recommend an Alibaba reseller ("Thunder Lighting") and 2-3 custom spectrums that have worked well. I'm running one which is a copy of Grow Northern's "Rebel" spectrum and it's working well.
I'd recommend Area51. But, if budget is most important, I'd do the above (maybe 1 of each for a 2x4 space). When you eventually buy better lights you'd have backups for when (not if) those better lights fail.
I can answer that because I just contacted Thunder Lighting (took me awhile to find cause I was looking on alibabi instead of aliexpress) about a Rebel Spectrum Apollo 6. It's 8 Deep Red 660nm, 2 Red 630nm, 2 Blue 460nm, 2 cool white 5700k, and 1 Infrared 725nm.What were those spectrums?
Okay, so you got the Apollo version or the cidli ,sp?, version? The 2nd option seems like it would be best because of the cool and warm lightsHmm, well it looks like I'm going to try the DIY. Probably just copy the parts of someone else's design
I can answer that because I just contacted Thunder Lighting (took me awhile to find cause I was looking on alibabi instead of aliexpress) about a Rebel Spectrum Apollo 6. It's 8 Deep Red 660nm, 2 Red 630nm, 2 Blue 460nm, 2 cool white 5700k, and 1 Infrared 725nm.
from a message I just got from az2000, it seems the cidly equivalent is:
1x IR 730
9x deep red 660
2x blue 450
White avg 5116k
1x white 2700k (3200-3500k) (avg 3350k)
2x white 5000k (5500-6500k) (avg 6000k)
That's what's going to hold me over while I research DIY options. Not sure if I should do a 'panel' of 5w on individual spectrum bands or COBs with warm/cool white mix yet. Also should probably learn what the relationship between Forward Current and Forward Volatage is, but I've still got a few days.
AA, here is something else you might consider, especially on a budgetHmm, well it looks like I'm going to try the DIY. Probably just copy the parts of someone else's design
I can answer that because I just contacted Thunder Lighting (took me awhile to find cause I was looking on alibabi instead of aliexpress) about a Rebel Spectrum Apollo 6. It's 8 Deep Red 660nm, 2 Red 630nm, 2 Blue 460nm, 2 cool white 5700k, and 1 Infrared 725nm.
from a message I just got from az2000, it seems the cidly equivalent is:
1x IR 730
9x deep red 660
2x blue 450
White avg 5116k
1x white 2700k (3200-3500k) (avg 3350k)
2x white 5000k (5500-6500k) (avg 6000k)
That's what's going to hold me over while I research DIY options. Not sure if I should do a 'panel' of 5w on individual spectrum bands or COBs with warm/cool white mix yet. Also should probably learn what the relationship between Forward Current and Forward Volatage is, but I've still got a few days.
Yeah, I agree, EXCEPT about the budget part. 10-15$ a piece, and he had 10+...I mean, you know what you are getting, a 9 watt Cree bulb for that 10-15 a piece, so 90 watts for 100...AA, here is something else you might consider, especially on a budget
http://rollitup.org/t/flowering-with-cree-bulbs.656542/
Plus a known quantity of quality diodes in this case most have been switched over to Xb-g. I have some of the older 2700k's that were Xt-E's.Yeah, I agree, EXCEPT about the budget part. 10-15$ a piece, and he had 10+...I mean, you know what you are getting, a 9 watt Cree bulb for that 10-15 a piece, so 90 watts for 100...
Yeah? Please show me that link to the 7 a bulb, I am about to get some for side lighting. These are a perfect replacement for CFLs, and I am going to set up a bunch around the bottom perimeter...no lesser bottoms for mePlus a known quantity of quality diodes in this case most have been switched over to Xb-g. I have some of the older 2700k's that were Xt-E's.
The bulbs are $7 online and I have seen them for $6 at the physical store near my house. Comparison wise, I think its fairly inexpensive way when sitting on the fence. Maybe not altogether cheap cheep, but certainly within realm of one of those Vpar lights that are only putting out 150w's max.
The Grow Northern Rebel spectrum I ordered is:What were those spectrums?
1x IR 730
9x deep red 660
2x blue 450
White avg 5116k
1x white 3350k (3200-3500k) (Rebel uses 2700k)
2x white 6000k (5500-6500k) (Rebel uses 5000k)
Hansbrick (not related to Hans panels)
1x IR 730nm
7x deep red 660nm,
3x red 630nm,
2x white 6500k,
2x blue 460nm
Tang
1x IR 720nm
8x deep red 660nm
3x red 630nm
1x white 12000k
2x blue 460nm